Ancelotti defends Bellingham following red card in heated Valencia clash

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has defended midfielder Jude Bellingham following the Englishman's red card against Valencia.

Madrid fell two goals behind after only 30 minutes at the Mestalla but Vinicius Junior's second-half brace levelled the contest.

Bellingham thought he had headed home a late winner for the visitors only for referee Gil Manzano to rule out the goal, having already blown the full-time whistle.

The 20-year-old was sent off for his protests but Los Blancos boss Ancelotti was quick to defend his superstar.

Ancelotti said: "Something unprecedented has happened and it's never happened to me before.

"We were annoyed by Bellingham's red card because he didn't say anything insulting. It was frustration.

"The player was clear in what he said. It's true that he argued vehemently after the goal and that's normal. It was not an insult at all. Let's see what the referee writes in the official report."

The 64-year-old Italian continued: "Had the referee blown the whistle when the Valencia keeper cleared the ball, it would have been right but he allowed play to continue and we had possession. I think he has made a mistake.

"We are upset and angry. It's normal but we have to get back to normal because we have an important game on Wednesday.

"We have to cool down a bit because the team is still seething. To cool down you have to look at the table. We can still sleep well tonight."

In his referee's report, Manzano wrote: "After the conclusion of the game, still on the field of play, [Bellingham] approached me with an aggressive attitude, repeatedly shouting, 'It's a f****** goal'."

Real sit seven points clear at the top of LaLiga and host RB Leipzig on Wednesday in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.